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Wales and Ireland draw a blank

Chances were few and far between in a disappointing encounter with a lack of competitive edge evident in the display of both sides.

Shane Long had Ireland’s two best chances but he could not find the net, while Wales badly missed the influence of the injured Gareth Bale.

Wales had the first opening of the game after 15 minutes when Keiren Westwood flapped at an in-swinging corner from Craig Bellamy, but John O’Shea got a vital a touch to deny Ashley Williams.

Long should have given Ireland the lead on 25 minutes when James McCarthy cut the ball back to him inside the area, but the striker got his shot all wrong and blazed over.

Wales had to wait until 36 minutes to have their first effort at goal when Johnny Williams found space 30 yards from goal, but he sliced his effort wide.

Robbie Brady went close to breaking the deadlock five minutes before the break when he saw his superb curling right-footed shot flew past the far post with Boaz Myhill beaten.

Wales had the game’s first effort on target in the game on 55 minutes when Craig Bellamy’s long-range free-kick was kept out by Westwood.

Johnny Williams had a sight of goal on 68 minutes when the ball dropped to him on the edge of the box, but he drilled his effort over the crossbar.

Yeovil striker Paddy Madden was handed his Ireland debut on 69 minutes and he was quickly into the action, working a one-two with Long to send the West Brom forward in on goal, but Myhill kept out his Hawthorns team-mate’s shot.

Ireland almost grabbed the winner with 10 minutes remaining when Madden saw his shot pushed out by Myhill and the ball fell to James McClean, but man-of-the-match Williams produced a superb block.